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Hi All
I got my international version SGS2 about 3 weeks ago. I am very happy with how its holding up currently but am trying to get the best battery life out of my phone. Coming from a Wave that lasted me 5 days without a problem I am trying to get something close to that.
I have a low to med usage pattern and it will most likely not change in the near future. I bought myself the Origianl Extended Battery 2000mAh and putting it through its paces now and currently on my 1st cycle.
Here is where I need the solid advice...
I am on the Original XFA firmware Android 2.3.3
1. I need to know if I can revert everything back to the original firmware when I need it and remove the root as well?
2. Can someone provide me with the Original FW as I have checked Check Fus and it cant even find the one installed on my phone?
3. Are the benefits of later Android versions really that much better or will I experience much the same as I am experiencing now on the Stock FW?
4. What are the real benefits of rooting and how does it affect my phone?
5. What Kernel should I flash if I decide to root my device as there are hundreds out there with no real explanation of the difference?
These are just some of my concerns and even though 2 days of reading XDA provided some idea into some of these things the explanations was very vague and not really helpfull in understanding what the actual benefits would be
If anyone could assist me I would be very grateful.
Hello, so.. i realize my english isnt perfect, im sorry:
1. When you root, you will have Clockworkmod recovery. This recovery allows you to do a nandroid backup, this backup can be used when you want, to restore the phone with a perfect mirror image of when you created the backup. Ofc it requires a rooted phone, this means it will mirror your 2.3.3 firmware, with root.
2. Intratech link to official firmwares: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
This firmwares are originals, this mean the phone is going back to the original status as when you bought it (no root, no cwm). This will not remove the Download mode Counter that is incresed by 1 everytime you flash a custom firmware/kernel (rooting increases it).
3. Yes, the benefits can be noticed by a lot more smooth interface, faster browser, and some other small things. Specially if you are experiencing the "yellow left side screen" from the 2.3.5 it got fixed.
4. This is a good question, if you ask it, means you are quite happy with your actual situation and dont feel the need of rooting.
The real benefits are to be able to flash custom roms or kernels, that usually give more speed and gadgets compared to the stock firmware. This also allow you to use themes, to change partially or totally the aspect of your phone.
Some games dosnt work (not optimized for the S2) but with chainfire 3d (requires root) you can run almost every game for android).
5. You must start with CF-Root (easiest way) for root, this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
Install latest Samsung Kies to get latest samsung mobile usb drivers, but be 100% sure to kill kies process tree (from task manager) before flash with odin, kies dosnt like odin and blocks it at some point, resulting in a chance to semi brick the phone.
Carefull follow the instructions on the post and in 20-30 seconds you done.
After you obtained root, all the kernels for the S2 can be used, most populars are speedmod and siyah (im on this last) due the great stabilty/speed.
As last note, please be sure 100% you want/need to root:
Rooting void your warranty, ofc you can buy a usb jig to reset the counter and have again your warranty.
Be sure you understand rooting is not 100% safe, nor is any rom/kernel that you will flash.
Nowdays is really hard to brick a phone, but a really small chance to brick is always here, specially if you are not 100% sure on what you are doing.
@rembrandtlnx
Thanks a lot. You have been more helpful than reading XDA for 2 days solidly trying to find out what to do.
At the current moment I don't really see any benefit in rooting. My phone is not presenting with any of the battery draining bugs some users are finding so I am not sure if updating the firmware would be that helpful.
I don't use my phone for a gaming station so I don't play games on it.
toxicdust said:
@rembrandtlnx
Thanks a lot. You have been more helpful than reading XDA for 2 days solidly trying to find out what to do.
At the current moment I don't really see any benefit in rooting. My phone is not presenting with any of the battery draining bugs some users are finding so I am not sure if updating the firmware would be that helpful.
I don't use my phone for a gaming station so I don't play games on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed if you are happy on the actual rom for you rooting dosnt make a big difference. I rooted both mines mainly to have the Miui, i always wanted it but my old poor phone wasnt supported.
Anyway, feel free to ask in future if you change your mind
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
rembrandtlnx said:
Indeed if you are happy on the actual rom for you rooting dosnt make a big difference. I rooted both mines mainly to have the Miui, i always wanted it but my old poor phone wasnt supported.
Anyway, feel free to ask in future if you change your mind
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have another few questions
1. Reading your links I noticed I don't need to root to flash original firmwares to my phone. If I do flash a original firmware to my phone using Odin does my counter increase and will i have that annoying ! at boot up?
2. Is there some way to retain the CSC while flashing?
3. If I flash with just 1 .tar file it would seem to contain all 3 segments PDA, Phone and CSC or would it just replace the PDA and keep the Phone and CSC in tact?
What my aim is that I want to update my Android as I go along but don't want to drop my CSC and I prefer having the compatibility with my provider as it makes it easier and more compatible with the network especially for international dialling.
Hello, I have just got a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 White 16GB in the UK locked to the O2 network. This is my first time using an Android phone and I have looked around and saw the Google Edition, how do I flash it onto my phone? is there any drawbacks is the ROM the official one, it will not damage my phone or anything will it? I have warranty on it, I do know rooting and flashing voids the warranty but will I be able to unroot and go back to the official OS that was on the phone?
I just want the Google Play Edition as I find the Touchwiz UI horrible and GPE is apparently quite faster and better for battery life.
Please help me and please take into consideration that I am a beginner and have never done this kind of stuff, thanks.
That's simple.
You need:
Heimdall suite: https://github.com/downloads/Benjamin-Dobell/Heimdall/heimdall-suite-1.3.2-win32.zip
CWM Recovery: http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager
ROM:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348272
1.Install heimdall on pc
2. download recovery for your device
3.Turn off phone > Press vol down + home +power button, you will go to download mode
4.run heimdall with command prompt and type: heimdall flash --recovery yourrecovery.img if that will not work type: heimdall flash --RECOVERY yourrecovery.img
5. Turn off your phone and go to recovery by pressing vol up + home + power button
6. Wipe data and flash your rom from sd card.
7. Reboot.
8. Enjoy.
Press thanks if it work for You.
ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hello, I have just got a Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 White 16GB in the UK locked to the O2 network. This is my first time using an Android phone and I have looked around and saw the Google Edition, how do I flash it onto my phone? is there any drawbacks is the ROM the official one, it will not damage my phone or anything will it? I have warranty on it, I do know rooting and flashing voids the warranty but will I be able to unroot and go back to the official OS that was on the phone?
I just want the Google Play Edition as I find the Touchwiz UI horrible and GPE is apparently quite faster and better for battery life.
Please help me and please take into consideration that I am a beginner and have never done this kind of stuff, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First what firmware are you currently on? I have an o2 model and I believe they are still officially on 4.2.2. firmware I think. If you are on a 4.2.2 firmware pre knox bootloaders you'll be fine. You can root and later use triangle away to clear the counters. If you are on a KNOX bootloader then rooting will make it impossible for you to downgrade to a lower firmware.
Rooting is easy, you just need to flash CF-Root, flash custom recovery and good to go using Odin. There are a few different GPE roms around so read the relevant threads and see what users are saying in regards to the roms.
I have no idea what Knox and stuff is, I'm a basic beginner so I basically know nothing, here is screenshot of it
Just checked I have Knox installed so rooting and stuff will void my warranty forever without any chance of getting it back right?
An easy way to check is to shut down your phone, hold the volume down + home button + power button until you are presented with a green Android and a warning about download mode, press whichever it is to go to download mode (don't worry, to get out of it just hold down the power button and then restart your phone). You are looking for knox warranty or something like that with a 0x0 or 0x1 beside it, if it isn't in the list in the top left corner, you are pre-knox bootloader and you are fine to follow the instructions provided above.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I have done it and it seems I do not have this supposed Knox thing, btw can you give me a link with good instructions on how to cf flash, install custom recovery and use odin? I also don't know what GPE rom to go with, I just want one that is fast, stable and makes my battery life good
Hi,
Just wanted to put my 2 pence in and help with choosing a ROM.
I have flashed both GPE other roms on my S4 and I must say the best Rom in terms of battery (speed, size and customisation) is PACman rom. This may not he very helpful if you are definitely wanting to go pure android but I was in the same position and after using PACman its hard to recommend anything else.
You will lose some Sammy services like smart scroll, samsung camera functions, s-health and others but if you can live with that have a play and try out the different roms.
Once rooted and added a recovery (I use CWM) you can flash and flash any roms you like to try.
Give the rom a day or 2 to settle and see what you like the best.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Hi everyone!
Basicly I can't install Samsung based ROMs on my s4 i9505. I am able to install only aosp based ROMs. I flashed manyroms starting from Omega, echoe and many more.
I even tried to flash stock ROM but it is not rebooting and gives bootloops.
Appreciated for all your advises.
blondbond said:
Hi,
Just wanted to put my 2 pence in and help with choosing a ROM.
I have flashed both GPE other roms on my S4 and I must say the best Rom in terms of battery (speed, size and customisation) is PACman rom. This may not he very helpful if you are definitely wanting to go pure android but I was in the same position and after using PACman its hard to recommend anything else.
You will lose some Sammy services like smart scroll, samsung camera functions, s-health and others but if you can live with that have a play and try out the different roms.
Once rooted and added a recovery (I use CWM) you can flash and flash any roms you like to try.
Give the rom a day or 2 to settle and see what you like the best.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm not really looking for customisation as such, but since you've had experience with GPE ROMS which is the best GPE version for battery and performance/speed?
i9505 GE Rom
ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hi, I'm not really looking for customisation as such, but since you've had experience with GPE ROMS which is the best GPE version for battery and performance/speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My personal best experience was to use the ROM Here
Its very quick and has a couple of little extras for you.
May I say that you will need to ROOT your device which will void your warranty.
Im not 100% sure how O2 set their devices up but you may need to see if there are any O2 related apps you need/want to keep also before flashing.
You will also need to install a recovery.
The procedure is very simple and their are some very detailed explanations and step by step guides on how to achieve this.
Please think carefully about what your next step is as its very easy to root and then unroot but some devices have KNOX built in to them which means as soon as you root you "flip a switch" (a sort of eswitch) which cant, as of yet, be flipped back again and no amount of "unrooting" will reset your device exactly how it was before modifying.
It sounds daunting but everyone on here is really helpful and you are not the first to be trying this for the first time. There are 100's of users all doing the same thing as you and asking all the right questions. Everyone has a point of view and some people may prefer one thing over another. Once you are ready let us know and we can point you in a few more directions/posts.
blondbond said:
My personal best experience was to use the ROM Here
Its very quick and has a couple of little extras for you.
May I say that you will need to ROOT your device which will void your warranty.
Im not 100% sure how O2 set their devices up but you may need to see if there are any O2 related apps you need/want to keep also before flashing.
You will also need to install a recovery.
The procedure is very simple and their are some very detailed explanations and step by step guides on how to achieve this.
Please think carefully about what your next step is as its very easy to root and then unroot but some devices have KNOX built in to them which means as soon as you root you "flip a switch" (a sort of eswitch) which cant, as of yet, be flipped back again and no amount of "unrooting" will reset your device exactly how it was before modifying.
It sounds daunting but everyone on here is really helpful and you are not the first to be trying this for the first time. There are 100's of users all doing the same thing as you and asking all the right questions. Everyone has a point of view and some people may prefer one thing over another. Once you are ready let us know and we can point you in a few more directions/posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thanks for your reply, I checked through that download mode on my S4 and I did not see that Knox counter 0x0 or 0x1 or any mention of it anywhere so it's safe to say that I am on 4.2.2 pre knox bootloader, I am currently looking on CF-Flash root using Odin, will look into recovery but since you have experience could you recommend me to a guide for the recovery you are using which I see a lot of people use
ShadowBlazeSheff said:
Hello, thanks for your reply, I checked through that download mode on my S4 and I did not see that Knox counter 0x0 or 0x1 or any mention of it anywhere so it's safe to say that I am on 4.2.2 pre knox bootloader, I am currently looking on CF-Flash root using Odin, will look into recovery but since you have experience could you recommend me to a guide for the recovery you are using which I see a lot of people use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a brilliant guide to rooting, recoveries using the most common and tried and tested methods and products (I use CWM recovery but have also use Philz and TWRP) they all have their merits and all do similar things.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AND ALL SUB LINKS - IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT HIT US UP HERE AND WE CAN HELP YOU
Good luck and happy rooting
blondbond said:
Here is a brilliant guide to rooting, recoveries using the most common and tried and tested methods and products (I use CWM recovery but have also use Philz and TWRP) they all have their merits and all do similar things.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AND ALL SUB LINKS - IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT HIT US UP HERE AND WE CAN HELP YOU
Good luck and happy rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know the GPE ROM you recommended, will it work for my GT-I9505 UK O2 model, it's locked to O2 if that makes any difference?
This should work fine. But I would maybe do a little diggin to see if it does.
My device was a Vodafone device and I used this with no problems at all.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Mine is locked to Meteor Ireland and I installed (a different) GE ROM with zero issues. It booted first time, and from my own experience that's a rarity!
Best of luck with it, I love the GE ROM especially since I have the one thing I thought wouldn't work: the IR blaster! There's a watchON apk on xda somewhere and it's great! It fcs a few times but it will work!
Nice ^^
May I also suggest you do this:
Root device and install recovery
Make a Nandroid backup from within recovery and save that to your external SD card
Then go ahead and flash new rom
That way if anything should go wrong you can just restore your phone from your Nandroid back up.
Very useful
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
blondbond said:
Nice ^^
May I also suggest you do this:
Root device and install recovery
Make a Nandroid backup from within recovery and save that to your external SD card
Then go ahead and flash new rom
That way if anything should go wrong you can just restore your phone from your Nandroid back up.
Very useful
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this! Then copy the backup folder onto your PC also. Nandroid backups have saved me many times! It's easy to forget.
I've been doing this for years and forgot with my S4 to install a custom recovery That was a bit silly, then flashed without a nandroid backup, that's a bad idea!
Even if there isn't any issue sometimes you just think: I don't like this and prefered it the way it was, you can have it back to EXACTLY the way it was in about 5 mins with a backup!
I do not have a external SD card at the moment, will this be problem??
Thanks everyone, I've managed to get a 4.3 GPE ROM installed!!!
I have a Rogers Note 3, N900W8.
Right now it's running 4.3 MJ4, rooted and knox at 0x0.
I'd like to know what the best process is to upgrade to KitKat, and be able to root keeping knox intact. I want to stick with the Touchwiz rom for now, as I do use my S-Pen quite frequently.
I've been looking around the forums for quite some time to try and figure this out on my own, but it's like information overload and I find threads tend to get derailed and then you end up reading page after page of stuff that doesn't apply. If someone would be kind enough to point me in the right direction, and I'm successful I'll update this first post with the procedure so hopefully the next guy doesn't have to make this thread LOL
Thanks
**UPDATE**
as promised, i'd update with the method I used here. followed this thread, except for the installing the custom recovery, kernel, and wifi/nfc fix (do I need the wifi/nfc fix if I'm not bothering with a custom kernel?).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2614772
You have two approaches.
1) Unroot. Flash up to the Mexican "leak" NA2 version of Kitkat. Root/Recovery. Flash custom TW roms to get up to the latest builds.
2) Unroot. Update to the latest NB7 firmware via standard means and then root.
Either way, you'll keep Knox 0x0. If you're interested, I'll link you to the many threads with procedures available.
Edit: Option 1 lets you downgrade to 4.3, but option 2 doesn't.
Lemme see what I can find on those topics. At least with a starting point I have something to look for. I'd think that the 2nd approach seems simpler so that's prob what I'll go for. Less steps ftw.
Really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction
kamikaze2112 said:
Lemme see what I can find on those topics. At least with a starting point I have something to look for. I'd think that the 2nd approach seems simpler so that's prob what I'll go for. Less steps ftw.
Really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's like.. two threads in this section, and one in the T-Mobile general section about doing this stuff.
I'd go with the Mexican (Telcel) NA2. This leaves you with way more options. If you decide your not happy with NA2 you can go back to MJ4, the latest stock from rogers does not have this option. I used MJ4 for half a year and then finally took the plunge to NA2. Battery life is way better, delay is gone when waking phone, call reception improved, internet stability increased, I'm rooted, and have CWM recovery installed and Knox is 0x0.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
JohnnyRebel said:
I'd go with the Mexican (Telcel) NA2. This leaves you with way more options. If you decide your not happy with NA2 you can go back to MJ4, the latest stock from rogers does not have this option. I used MJ4 for half a year and then finally took the plunge to NA2. Battery life is way better, delay is gone when waking phone, call reception improved, internet stability increased, I'm rooted, and have CWM recovery installed and Knox is 0x0.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you feel that way from updating to NA2, flash an ND5-based rom. Everything is even more snappy than the first round of Kitkat roms.
ok, Mexican rom it is then.
Going to be doing this tonight, so hopefully i don't bugger it up
Got it done. going to play with it like this for a couple days before i go any further.
What's the advantage to installing a custom recovery? would it allow me to install something like CM11 without tripping knox? That's about the only rom i've had any interest in trying, aside from the stock touchwiz stuff.
So far so good, getting everything reinstalled is a pain, but whatev. Using the GPE launcher and some modules for xposed to tweak it to my liking. My only gripe, and it seems like there's no way to get rid of it, is the full screen album art lock screen thing when playing music. That's a massive annoyance, one that I'm hoping someone will come up with a solution for.
kamikaze2112 said:
Got it done. going to play with it like this for a couple days before i go any further.
What's the advantage to installing a custom recovery? would it allow me to install something like CM11 without tripping knox? That's about the only rom i've had any interest in trying, aside from the stock touchwiz stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're on NA2 bootloader, whatever you do on the device you can't trip KNOX.
You can backup your EFS and make nandroid backups in case you mess up your phone.
Yes you can flash CM11 without tripping KNOX.
---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:29 PM ----------
kamikaze2112 said:
So far so good, getting everything reinstalled is a pain, but whatev. Using the GPE launcher and some modules for xposed to tweak it to my liking. My only gripe, and it seems like there's no way to get rid of it, is the full screen album art lock screen thing when playing music. That's a massive annoyance, one that I'm hoping someone will come up with a solution for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a 4.4 specific feature by Google. If TouchWiz detects your music player to be using Google Music Player as a base engine, it will use full screen music player as your lockscreen.
Wow thanks for the info. I'll keep playing with it like this for now but keep that in mind.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)
LostKeys said:
Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need custom ROM just for that.
a root access will be good enough
If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon
Bibz0r said:
If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.
LostKeys said:
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have screwed up my modem firmware once because of a bad flash but that's because I was careless. If you follow a tutorial properly and read on the subject (this forum is a great place to learn), you should not have any issues. You'll see that the advantages of a custom ROM will, by far, surpass all the trouble to get there.
I have to agree about Titanium Backup... The thing that I hate the most is re-creating folders and re-arranging widgets. I know that if you use another launcher (ex: Nova Launcher) you can save the layout but personally, I like the stock launcher.
Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
sapphire88 said:
Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
Root > TWRP > Custom ROM
If you need to flash back to stock, use Odin with the stock firmware file from SamMobile.
Let me know if you require more information.
thank you, so i will not have any problem with the locked booloader? do i have to backup anything else more tha the original EFS?
I just flashed Assassin ROM and LTE etc.. are working just fine on that
Over a stock nf4 and locked bootloader?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Hey folks,
New to the rooting game. Downgraded my G900V from 5.0 -> 4.4.2 NCG, towelroot, SuperSu, Safestrap 3.75, Titanium backup. Backed up via SafeStrap custom recovery for stock and pasted it to my desktop as well as a full Titanium backup.
I am ready to enter the custom rom game! I am sad that I cannot try Cyanogenmod because that seems to be the top dog.
I am hoping to retain these earlier KitKat OS versions because they seem to run infinitely raster than stock 5.0 pre-root. However, I've never had one rooted and debloated so who knows.
I am looking for max customizability. I was all about customizing my UI like crazy prior to rooting on 5.0 using apps. So highly customizable UI, battery life +, and stability if at all possible.
1) What do you guys suggest? Thanks!
2) Do all TouchWiz-based ROMS require that you flash another firmware version prior to installation?
As of right now, I am looking at the Alliance ROM but it was released like a year ago and wondering if there's a better or more updated version.
I found a link via galaxys5root dot c0m
Is this a safe download?
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I wasn't aware. How do I ask for a suggestion based on popular belief?
ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I revised my original post and apologize again. I am just interested in what my options are.
I haven't heard back on a working download link for Build 2 of Alliance ROM so I am venturing into the MOAR ROM territory. Just to be safe, I purchased Titanium PRO and it's being synced to Drive as we speak.
After it completes, I'm going to attempt my first ROM flash and nervous. From what I've gathered, I need to boot into SafeStrap, full wipe, install the zip from ex/int SD-card, and then boot into download mode. From there, I flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5.
Now, once I do this, the post says that SafeStrap won't work anymore. If I follow these instructions:
"7. Safestrap will no longer work unless you use odin and flash NI2_STOCK_KERNEL_FOR_SAFESTRAP.tar.md5 or any VZW KITKAT kernel. Then you can enter Safestrap. Once you flash file or whatever you need to do in safestrap remember to boot to download mode from safestrap and then use odin to flash VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_KERNEL_ONLY.tar.md5 or the VZW_BOA8_RETAIL_FIRMWARE_ONLY.tar.md5. Then you will be good to go. This process must be done every time you need to use SafeStrap!"
... will I still be able to run safestrap and retain the ROM? Or is that just in case I want to access my backed up recovery and revert back to my custom recovery pre-ROM?
ldeveraux said:
Aren't "what's the best ROM?" Posts not allowed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA changed their stance on these kinds of threads and are allowing them to to stay open as long as they don't turn into a flame fest.
I am curious too, as to what is out there that runs well. I am coming from an AT&T LG G2 with lots of options to a this phone that seems to be much more restricted than anything I have seen in the past. This looks like its going to be far more work to get few results. Also it seems like it's easier to brick than the G2 was. Obviously I have a lot of reading to do, and probably a downgrade from OE1 if I want root. I just want to know if there is a ROM worth doing all this work for. Thank you!
It's complicated but worth it.
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?
Pivo187 said:
I have an s5 on Verizon and would like to root what is fastest and safest way?
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Click to collapse
To find the thread on that topic. Hint, it's not here. Hint 2, try searching...
fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Are you talking about THE PURGE? The debloater recommends a stock ROM; does this mean I cannot use this option and use OptimalROM or MOAR? I'd like to apply it to my current setup (Optimal)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5/development/zip-t2979275
fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention that I am currently calibrating my battery using a Play Store app. I wonder if this will help
Also, I did it the manual way as well. What a serious pain in the rear lol. Afterwards, with my newfound confidence of rooting, I went to work on my wife's LG G2. What a joke!
Her battery life is unreal. At the end of the day, she sits at 60% battery life after hefty use. I am getting a bit jealous.
fukenbiker said:
I'm not going to pick a favorite, but anyone worth their search engine can see what I'm using.
The battery life was horrible straight out of the box, and 'something' had to be done. I have flashed different phones from Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, etc. from at least 4 different carriers. Nothing compares with how much harder it is just to get root on our Samsung-SM-G900V variant with it's locked bootloader. CyanogenMod is not even an option, so I'm using a custom 5.0 TouchWiz ROM.
The debloating zip via ADB is what really fixed the poor battery life.
It is worth it.
My battery life is now 'amazing'.
The only other phone I had that even came close to battery life and screen on time like this, was my AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2, running CM10.2
Is it worth the effort? Even after trying a short cut and getting stuck in a loop with no recovery? Having to use Odin just to start over? Not having any success until I found a YouTube tutorial?
It's up to you. Perhaps you don't mind bloatware. Maybe you can always find a way to plug it in for a charge.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: I apologize for not searching before posting. I stalked all your activity here and found your exact process for debloating. Thank you! I look forward to seeing the difference.
Now if only my damn phone would charge to 100% to finish calibration!
ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
bmilcsx said:
ahhhhh. why am I still draining the battery so much?
wiped my rom, installed optimalrom for oc4 lollipop, ran debloat script for lollipop and rocking minimal data wifi, screen brightness, keeping ram free, etc. greenifying everything except streams.
what is going on here?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong thread!